Share This Story!

35 musicians who famously told politicians: Don't use my song

Campaign songs have been in use since the days of George Washington. Politicians today often rely on popular hits, but because that can imply a musician supports the candidate, names like Adele, Bruce Springsteen and Abba have asked politicians to stop playing their songs.

Campaign songs have been in use since the days of George Washington. Politicians today often rely on popular hits, but because that can imply a musician supports the candidate, some have asked politicians to stop playing their songs.

In many cases, such as John F. Kennedy’s use of Frank Sinatra’s “High Hopes” in 1960, artists approve the use of their music as a means of endorsing or at least subtly signaling their approval of the candidate. Other times, politicians use pop songs without such approval, leading to anger and dismay – especially in cases where the songwriter holds opposing political views.

This has been happening with not uncommon frequency going back to Bruce Springsteen’s disapproval of President Ronald Reagan’s use of “Born in the U.S.A.” in 1984. And it has happened frequently since President Donald Trump began holding rallies some three years ago.

Campaigns can procure blanket licenses from performing rights organizations such as the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers and Broadcast Music Inc. While performers may have no legal recourse, public attacks on the politicians using their music – such as Neil Young’s onstage denunciation of Trump over the latter’s legally cleared use of “Rockin' in the Free World” – can lead to the song being dropped.

24/7 Wall St. has identified 35 instances of musicians who told politicians to stop using their music. Some emerged victorious, while others had less success.

1. Abba

Song: "Take a Chance on Me"Politician: John McCainOutcome: McCain's campaign dropped the song after the Swedish band sent them a cease-and-desist letter.

Adele(Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images for BT PR)

2. Adele

Song: "Rolling in the Deep," "Skyfall"Politician: Donald TrumpOutcome: While Adele issued a statement that she did not directly grant Trump permission to play her songs, the campaign was undeterred, firing back that they have the legal rights to play them.

5. Axwell & Ingrosso

Song: "Something New"Politician: Marco RubioOutcome: Rubio was forced to abandon the Swedish DJs "Something New" following a cease-and-desist letter. The group stated that they did not wish "to be affiliated with a particular party during the ... presidential race."

Bobby McFerrin(Photo: LAURENT GILLIERON, AP)

6. Bobby McFerrin

Song: "Don't Worry, Be Happy"Politician: George H. W. BushOutcome: Vice President Bush was asked in 1988 to stop using McFerrin's infectious "Don't Worry, Be Happy" as his campaign theme song. Bush invited McFerrin to dinner in order to smooth things over but was rebuffed.

Bon Jovi(Photo: KIM JOHNSON, Associated Press)

7. Bon Jovi

Song: "Who Says You Can't Go Home"Politician: John McCainOutcome: While Bon Jovi issued a disapproving statement about the McCain camp's use of their song, no legal action was taken and usage continued unabated.

Boston(Photo: JOE GILL, AP)

8. Boston

Song: "More Than A Feeling"Politician: Mike HuckabeeOutcome: In response to Huckabee playing "More Than A Feeling" on bass guitar at 2008 campaign events, Boston frontman Tom Scholz wrote a rather scathing letter, stating that "Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and with all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for."

Bruce Springsteen(Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY)

9. Bruce Springsteen

Song: "Born in the U.S.A."Politician: Ronald Reagan, Bob Dole, Pat BuchananOutcome: An adviser to Reagan asked The Boss if he could use "Born in the U.S.A." during his re-election campaign in 1984. Springsteen turned him down. This episode is seen as the start of Springsteen's progressive awakening, and since then, he has become an outspoken liberal. In later years, Dole and Buchanan were similarly turned down.

Talking Heads(Photo: ANTÓNIO PEDRO SANTOS, EPA-EFE)

10. Talking Heads

Song: "Road to Nowhere"Politician: Charlie CristOutcome: The Florida Senate candidate used the Talking Heads song in a 2010 attack video against rival Marco Rubio. Talking Heads lead singer David Byrne sued Crist over use of the song and won. Crist agreed to pay an undisclosed sum and issued an apology on YouTube.

Dropkick Murphys(Photo: Suzi Pratt, WireImage)

11. Dropkick Murphys

Song: "I'm Shipping Up to Boston"Politician: Scott WalkerOutcome: When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker strode out to the strains of "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" at an event for presidential aspirants in Iowa, the punk band Dropkick Murphys was not happy. The group fired off a tweet asking Walker to not use their music, adding, "We literally hate you!" The band said on Facebook that it wasn't looking to sue anyone over the issue; it just didn't want to be associated with "certain events or people."

Elton John(Photo: KEVORK DJANSEZIAN, Associated Press)

12. Elton John

Song: "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer"Politician: Donald TrumpOutcome: Trump admires Elton John. He even referenced one of the British singer's songs by disparagingly calling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "Rocket Man." John has known the president for decades, but he turned down Trump's invitation to perform at his inauguration. John also had asked that his songs not be used during the 2016 presidential campaign but Trump continues to use songs such as "Tiny Dancer" at political rallies.

13. Explosions in the Sky

Song: "Your Hand in Mine"Politician: Ted CruzOutcome: The Texas rockers were able to force the senator to take down a campaign ad featuring their music in 2016 because of copyright issues.

Foo Fighters(Photo: Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

14. Foo Fighters

Song: "My Hero"Politician: John McCainOutcome: Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, who was a supporter of Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign against McCain, asked that the Republican stop using the song. The McCain campaign continued to use it, saying that although it respects copyright, it had the legal rights to use the song.

Heart(Photo: Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)

15. Heart

Song: "Barracuda"Politician: Sarah PalinOutcome: "Barracuda" was one of Heart's biggest hits, and Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin – whose nickname was "Sarah Barracuda" in high school – used the song at campaign rallies in 2008. She continued to do so, claiming she had the right to use it because of a blanket license from ASCAP.

Isaac Hayes(Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images)

16. Isaac Hayes

Song: "Soul Man"Politician: Bob DoleOutcome: The campaign of Dole, the Republican candidate for president in 1996, reworked the 1967 Sam & Dave hit "Soul Man" (co-written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter) to "I'm a Dole man." But the rights were held by Rondor Music, which threatened to sue the Dole campaign for $10,000 every time it used the song. The campaign stopped using it.

Jackson Browne(Photo: JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT, EPA)

17. Jackson Browne

Song: "Running On Empty"Politician: John McCainOutcome: McCain's 2008 presidential campaign used one of Browne's iconic songs to mock Democratic candidate Barack Obama about his statements on gasoline conservation. Browne filed suit against the McCain campaign and won an undisclosed settlement and a public apology from the Republican senator.

John Mellencamp(Photo: TIM DILLON, GNS)

18. John Mellencamp

Song: "Pink Houses," "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."Politician: Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, John McCainOutcome: The heartland rocker rejected three Republican candidates. The 1984 Reagan presidential campaign wanted to use "Pink Houses," and Mellencamp was opposed. He also asked Bush not to include "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A." in 2000. McCain used the Mellencamp tunes "Our Country" and "Pink Houses" during the 2008 presidential race until the rocker requested that McCain stop.

Journey(Photo: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

19. Journey

Song: "Don't Stop Believin' "Politician: Newt GingrichOutcome: Gingrich used "Don't Stop Believin' " during political events in 2011. Journey never believed in Gingrich and demanded that he not use the song. He continued to use it until he dropped out of the presidential race the following year.

K'naan(Photo: Hassan Ammar, AP)

20. K'naan

Song: "Wavin' Flag"Politician: Mitt RomneyOutcome: The Romney campaign was threatened with legal action by representatives of the Somali-Canadian artist during the 2012 presidential race. Reps for the Republican presidential candidate said they were licensed to use the song by ASCAP and BMI, but the campaign stopped using "Wavin' Flag" in deference to K'Naan's views.

Katrina and the Waves(Photo: DAVE CAULKIN, Associated Press)

21. Katrina and the Waves

Song: "Walking on Sunshine"Politician: Michele BachmannOutcome: Katrina Leskanich, lead singer of the British-American band, asked the Minnesota congresswoman in 2011 to refrain from using the group's biggest hit at campaign rallies and also threatened legal action. But Bachmann continued to use it.

MGMT(Photo: Noam Galai, Getty Images for Sony Hall)

22. MGMT

Song: "Kids"Politician: Nicolas SarkozyOutcome: It's not only American politicians who run afoul of artists when using their music without their permission. French President Nicolas Sarkozy's UMP party used the indie band's "Kids" song without permission. UMP admitted its mistake and eventually paid the band about $40,000, which MGMT donated to an artists' rights group.

Neil Young(Photo: MARTIN CLEAVER, Associated Press)

23. Neil Young

Song: "Rockin' in the Free World"Politician: Donald TrumpOutcome: Trump used "Rockin' in the Free World" when he announced he was running for president in 2015. Young, a Canadian-born musician who backed Bernie Sanders, objected. Trump reps said they had permission to use the song, and Young eventually relented, saying, "Once the music goes out, everybody can use it."

24. Orleans

Song: "Still the One"Politician: George W. Bush, John McCainOutcome: During his 2004 re-election campaign, Bush drew the ire of John Hall, who co-wrote the soft-rockers' 1976 hit. Hall, a former Democratic legislator from New York state, said the Bush campaign never got permission to use the upbeat pop tune. The Bush campaign stopped using the song. McCain, who also used the song, ignored cease-and-desist letters in 2008.

R.E.M.(Photo: Scott Gries, Getty Images)

25. R.E.M.

Song: "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)"Politician: Donald TrumpOutcome: The Georgia rockers did not feel fine about Trump using their stream-of-consciousness take on the news on the campaign trail in 2015. Lead singer Michael Stipe launched an expletive-laced reaction when Trump walked out to the tune at a Tea Party event, and the band asked him to not use it. Apparently, R.E.M. never pursued legal recourse. In a Facebook post, the band said it did not "authorize or condone the use of our music."

Rolling Stones(Photo: IVAN SEKRETAREV, Associated Press)

26. The Rolling Stones

Song: "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "Sympathy for the Devil," "Brown Sugar"Politician: Donald TrumpOutcome: While the Stones repeatedly asked Trump not to play their songs, they eventually accepted that at some point there was no way to stop him as he held the legal rights to do so.

Rush(Photo: Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP)

27. Rush

Song: "Tom Sawyer," "The Spirit of Radio"Politician: Rand PaulOutcome: The Canadian rock band asked 2010 Senate nominee Paul to stop playing their music at rallies. Though some have interpreted early band lyrics as having libertarian leanings, Rush's attorney stated it was "not a political issue" but "a copyright issue."

Sam & Dave(Photo: Erika Goldring, Getty Images)

28. Sam & Dave

Song: "Hold On I'm Coming"Politician: Barack ObamaOutcome: Democrats have been asked to stop playing music as well. In 2008, Sam Moore of Sam & Dave asked Obama to refrain from playing his "Hold On I'm Coming" for fear it would look like the singer had endorsed the candidate. The Obama campaign agreed to stop.

29. Silversun Pickups

Song: "Panic Switch"Politician: Mitt RomneyOutcome: The Silversun Pickups' song was reportedly played once as a Romney rally was being set up, yet this was enough to push the band to send a cease-and-desist letter. The Romney campaign maintained that they had the rights to play the song, but despite this they didn't play it again.

Sting(Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI, AFP/Getty Images)

30. Sting

Song: "Brand New Day"Politician: Al Gore, George W. BushOutcome: Both Bush and Gore hoped to use "Brand New Day" as their campaign theme song in 2000, but they were turned down by the English rocker.

31. Survivor

Song: "Eye of the Tiger"Politician: Mike Huckabee, Newt GingrichOutcome: The Huckabee campaign was forced to pay a $25,000 settlement for unlicensed use of "Eye of the Tiger," best known as the theme song from "Rocky III." Gingrich also paid a settlement over use of the song in 2012, though the amount was not disclosed.

32. The Heavy

Song: "How You Like Me Now"Politician: Newt GingrichOutcome: Gingrich stopped using the song at rallies after receiving a cease-and-desist letter from the British indie-rock band's music publisher.

Tom Petty(Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images)

33. Tom Petty

Song: "I Won't Back Down," "American Girl"Politician: George W. Bush, John McCain, Michele BachmannOutcome: While Petty was able to prevent both Bush and McCain from using his songs, presidential candidate Bachmann was less willing to back down, playing "American Girl" even after receiving a cease-and-desist letter.

Twisted Sister(Photo: Katy Winn, AP)

34. Twisted Sister

Song: "We're Not Gonna Take It"Politician: Paul Ryan, Donald TrumpOutcome: In response to a harsh statement from Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider over Ryan's one-time use of their 1984 hit, the campaign told Politico, "We're Not Gonna Play It anymore."

Snider achieved similar results by quietly asking Trump (the two are said to be friends) to abstain from playing the song at rallies.

Van Halen(Photo: Charles Sykes, AP)

35. Van Halen

Song: "Right Now"Politician: John McCainOutcome: While singer Sammy Hagar said he was honored a presidential candidate used his words, bandmates Eddie and Alex Van Halen issued a statement clarifying that they had not given permission for McCain to use the song. McCain continued using the song regardless.

24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Actor, athlete, comedian, talk show host and astronaut ... All have run for congressional seats. Why not a rapper from Detroit? Kid Rock has expressed an interest.
Here he performs during halftime at Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004, at Reliant Stadium in Houston. Jeff Haynes, AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Kid Rock, in his home studio north of Detroit in 2009, has sold millions of records. He's a five-time Grammy nominee and received the 2001 favorite pop/rock male artist
American Music Award. Jack Gruber, USA TODAY

A lot of deals are made on the golf course... A shirtless Kid Rock putts on the 17th hole during the Pro Am event June 25, 2008, at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press

Kid Rock acknowledges the audience during the NAACP's fundraising dinner in Detroit May 1, 2011, with Anthony at his left. The musician accepted the branch's Great Expectations Award. Carlos Osorio, AP

Controversy, however, surrounds the artist's appreciation of the Confederate battle flag. Protest leader Adolph Mongo holds a flag as it burns outside the dinner where the NAACP was honoring Rock in 2011. Carlos Osorio, AP

The singer leans over to talk to the judge through a speaker as he appears in Night Court on Feb. 16, 2005, in Nashville. Rock was arrested on charges that he punched a disc jockey at an adult entertainment club. He pleaded guilty and later was sued by the DJ. Mark Humphrey, AP

A soldier takes a photo of himself and Kid Rock after a concert at a helicopter hangar at Baghdad International Airport on June 19, 2003. Seven thousand howling U.S. soldiers sweated and gyrated through an electric USO show as a gaggle of American celebrities competed for their attention. Mikhail Metzel, AP